Nine Conference Carolinas Institutions Represented in National and Regional Polls
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Conference Carolinas continues to have strong representation in regional and national polls with winter sports in full swing.
The week four NCAA Division II Sports Information Directors Association (D2SIDA) regular season media poll for men’s basketball has UNC Pembroke ranked 15th nationally with 127 points while the Braves are third in the Southeast Region with 42 points. Francis Marion also received votes in the region. The complete polls are available here.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) also released its fourth regular season poll and UNC Pembroke, who is 8-1 on the season, slipped to No. 17 with 124 points. The poll is available here.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) released the first Division II wrestling regular-season rankings of the 2022-23 season and South Atlantic Conference Carolinas was well represented. Lander led the way as they were tied for fourth with Indianapolis at 54 points. Limestone joined the Bearcats in the top-25 at No. 25 with 14 points. Lander has five individuals ranked while Limestone has two. Belmont Abbey and UNC Pembroke also received votes in the poll. The full poll is available here.
In the NWCA individual rankings, the league had 10 individuals ranked. Two student-athletes were ranked at 125-pounds in Limestone’s Kevin Radcliff (3rd) and Logan Seliga of UNC Pembroke (9th). At 133-pounds, Elijah Lusk of Lander is sixth. Zeth Brower of Lander claimed the No. 1 spot at 141-pounds while John Carayainnis of Belmont Abbey is fifth. Jake Piccirilli of UNC Pembroke is 10th at 149-pounds while Jack Bond of Lander is eighth and Hunter Haven of Limestone is 12th at 174-pounds. At 184-pounds Logan Hall of Lander ranks sixth and his teammate Juan Holmes is fifth at 285-pounds. The individual rankings can be seen here.
In the pool, the updated Swimcloud Top-50 men’s dual rankings have Emmanuel 21st with 689.65 points with Lees-McRae No. 40 with 614.45 points and Barton 48th with 591.30 points. On the women’s side, Emmanuel leads the way at No. 34 with 618.30 points while UNC Pembroke is 48th with 583.45 points. The full rankings are available here.
Each week Conference Carolinas will provide a rankings update to highlight the institutions that are excelling in competition.